News Features

There has been a lot of social media buzz around the purported benefits of eating foods high in alkaline. But is there any benefit to tailoring your diet to the pH scale? Our nutrition expert deciphers the hype.

Each year millions of people break bones and injure rotator cuffs. Matthew Meunier, MD, orthopedic surgeon, discusses the kinds of cases he treats, from sports- to scooter-related, and how people can prevent or remedy them.

Serious physical challenges like illness or injury can affect mental health. UC San Diego Health experts say treating both can speed recovery. But coping is an art that takes different forms for each person.

Constipation is a pressing issue and there are a lot of treatments for it — and a lot of causes. One of the biggest is diet. Fortunately, diet is also part of the solution. Here are 14 foods that help move things along.

UC San Diego Health performed an autotransplant on a patient with only one kidney and nutcracker syndrome, where a renal vein becomes compressed by two arteries. The affected kidney was placed in the patient’s pelvis.

The risk of bone fractures due to osteoporosis increase with age but lifestyle changes can help reduce the odds. Recent research about supplements may confuse patients. Bone health specialist Deborah Kado, MD, explains.

Loud, habitual snoring may be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition that affects 18 million people. UC San Diego Health experts discuss what can be done, from lifestyle changes to assistive devices to surgery.

Nutrition needs change over the years — what’s healthy in your thirties and forties may not be in your sixties and seventies. Nutrition experts Byron Richard and Betty Garrity offer tips on eating healthy through the ages.

The Step Family Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Wellness center celebrates its first birthday with 283 graduates. It’s one of the largest cardiac rehabilitation programs in the nation and is doing innovative research.

Your cough syrup expired last month … how bad can it be? And if you’re really not feeling well, that prospect seems a lot more attractive than driving out to a pharmacy for a fresh bottle. Don’t be tempted, the FDA says.

A recent study analyzed a scoring tool to predict patient outcomes for a Crohn’s disease treatment. The model had a 100 percent sensitivity identifying patients who would benefit from the drug vedolizumab.

Did you make a resolution to get fit, fitter or the fittest you’ve ever been? Suzanne Smith, RD, UC San Diego Health sports dietitian, offers tips on what and how you should be eating to support specific fitness goals.

A woman’s ability to plan for child birth is essential to her health, education and career, says UC San Diego Health pharmacist Sally Rafie, PharmD, who is leading several projects to help make birth control more accessible.

UC San Diego Health physicians, staff and even patients themselves are making efforts to reduce opioid prescriptions, ensure they are used and disposed of appropriately and get help to those who need it.

A Q&A with Andrew Lowy, MD, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health, on how the Pancreatic Cancer Prevention and Screening Clinic aims to help high-risk patients by preventing or catching the disease early.

Many New Year’s resolutions involve getting a new body. For most people, that translates into eating better, losing weight or exercising more. For others, it means plastic surgery. A “new” look at the top 10 procedures.

UC aims for 100 percent reliance on clean electricity supplies across its campuses and medical centers by 2025. UC San Diego Health received national recognition in 2018 for environmental excellence and reducing energy usage.

Cannabis or its derivatives can be found in everything from smoothies to purported medicines. Experts at UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research answer some burning questions.

Homemade pickles and jams have had a resurgence in popularity with home cooks, but there are dangers to do-it-yourself canning and preserving. We offer tips on how to safely prepare perfect pickles and preserves.

Older people are more likely to take a variety of medications to manage multiple chronic health issues. Here we discuss some common problems older adults encounter with their medications, and how to prevent them.

From making an appointment, checking test results and refilling a prescription, the MyUCSDHealth app is a one-stop shop for patients, family members and caregivers for all touch points of UC San Diego Health.

Sarah Gibson started swimming at age five with one goal: the Olympic Games. Born with a heart condition, she is now working with UC San Diego Health to accomplish her goals in the pool and trade her swimsuit for scrubs.

Choosing your health care provider is a big choice. It helps determine who you see for everyday health concerns and perhaps specialists in the future. Consider these helpful tips during open enrollment.

Prenatal alcohol exposure is the leading preventable cause of birth defects in the US, and a recent study by UC San Diego found the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is as high, or higher, than autism.

When the weather cools, soup is what comforts us. Christine Zoumas, senior dietician at UC San Diego Health, talks about the health benefits of soup, whether bone broths are better and shares a favorite recipe.

Pharmacy dispensing errors may account for 21 percent of medication errors. Pharmacists take many precautions to protect patients from harm. Here are a few things you can do to make sure you get the right medications.

The body works incredibly hard to deliver a baby into the world. Eric Vu, certified nurse midwife at UC San Diego Health, talks about the stages of labor, related pains — and interventions both medicated and non.

UC San Diego Health physicians now offer prostate artery embolization as a treatment for men with enlarged prostate — an alternative to surgery, requiring no hospital stay, little post-operative pain and at a lower cost.

Your skin does a good job of keeping you together, though it doesn’t always look so good doing it. Take our picture quiz of some of the various ailments, afflictions and assaults visited upon our largest organ.

An ambitious University of California initiative to create a central repository for clinical data from all six UC health systems is advancing medicine and transforming the process of medical discovery itself.

Suzanne Smith, RD, sports dietitian at UC San Diego Health, answers the question: how much protein do you need to eat if you lead an active lifestyle? She also weighs in on the keto craze and shares a favorite recipe.

Acetaminophen causes more cases of acute liver injury than any other. Jeffrey Yin, PharmD, pharmacist at UC San Diego Health, explains the dangers of this common pain reliever and how to avoid unintentional overdoses.

Cynthia Zamora was left temporarily speechless after half of her tongue was removed to cut out a tumor. Tissue from her thigh was used to reconstruct what was lost and therapists taught her to speak, eat and walk again.

Our experts answer your questions on everything from headaches to tummy aches. This month, our experts discuss how to choose a healthy sweetener, whether or not you need to clean your ears and the best type of sunscreen.

Affordable ancestry DNA tests have unlocked access to genetic data and have led to a confusion over disease diagnosis. A UC San Diego Health genetic counselor, explains the difference between these and medical-grade tests.

The debate over whether coffee is good or bad for you has been percolating for centuries, a drip-drip-drip of wild rumor and conflicting news. Herewith, six reasons why coffee may be good for you and six why it's not.

Sidney Zisook, MD, a psychiatrist at UC San Diego Health and professor of psychiatry at UC San Diego School of Medicine, talks about different types of depression as well as available treatment options.

Salads are an easy way to get vegetables into your diet but not all salads are created equal in terms of health and nutrition. Our expert shares tips on building a fulfilling and healthful salad: from lettuce to dressing.

Over-the-counter medications are designed to be broadly safe and healthful but can sometimes be problematic for patients undergoing chemotherapy, masking symptoms, affecting dosages and even increasing a drug’s toxicity.

Clinical trials are how doctors and scientists find new ways to prevent, detect or treat disease. UC San Diego Health has launched a new website to make it easier to find the right trial for you or a loved one.

As part of National Health Care Decisions Week, April 16-22, UC San Diego Health is encouraging the community to talk with family and loved ones about what gives their life meaning and their wishes for end-of-life care.

Patients with breast cancer now have access to the new Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion at UC San Diego Health. The new state-of-the-art space brings all team members and services into one convenient location.

Alexandra Salcedo, RD, shows us how to make a delicious dish of steam-grilled cod with chanterelle mushrooms in the newly opened Step Family Cardiac Wellness and Rehabilitation Center kitchen at Jacobs Medical Center.

Up to 90 percent of lung cancers are linked to cigarette use — making smoking among the most dangerous of habits. A new UC San Diego Health lung screening program is helping smokers determine their risk of lung cancer.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormone condition up to 10 percent of women have. It often contributes to metabolic problems. Read how a woman diagnosed as a teenager turned her medical condition into a career path.

Described by his doctors as “a dandelion you blow on and it spreads everywhere,” Steve Belkin’s appendiceal cancer metastasized. He beat it after undergoing heated intraperitoneal chemoperusion (HIPEC), or chemo bath.

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered differences in how the brain responds to food rewards in individuals with a history of bulimia nervosa and anorexia.

Food plays a role in controlling diabetes or, in the case of type 2, keeping it at bay. We get advice from a clinical nutritionist on which foods to embrace and which to avoid and offer three recipes to help you choose well.

Most women diagnosed with breast cancer have no known risk factors or family history of the disease. A new study aims to uncover whether annual mammograms or a personalized approach delivers better screening results.

The population of those over age 65 will nearly triple by 2030. Learn the type of services provided through senior medicine at UC San Diego Health and when it’s time to consider transitioning to this type of customized care.

This is the time when we resolve to improve our health or life, like going on a diet or taking up hang gliding. Some things boost life expectancy and some things not so much. Like hang gliding, but hey, what are the chances?

When the health of a young cystic fibrosis patient worsened, she underwent a double lung transplant and, only a year and a half later, she was winning medals at the World Transplant Games Federation for swimming.

We are caring for affected patients and preventing the spread of hepatitis A. “Part of being a nurse is understanding your patient’s challenges when they leave…hep A has become one of those issues,” said Danisha Jenkins.

Oh sure, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but millions of Americans (one in 10) require medicine to deal with their excessive sugar consumption. For National Diabetes Month, we break down the numbers.

Most holiday meals revolve around a meat-based dish. In the weeks to come, we’ll be faced with plenty of turkeys, prime rib roasts and holiday hams, but which is the healthier choice? We offer tips and a few recipes.

After a high school cheerleader injured her knee during a Friday night game, UC San Diego Health's free sports injury screening program for high school athletes helped get her back to her active lifestyle.

Two UC San Diego Health heart transplant patients recently had the unique opportunity to meet the families of their donors and are using the experience to shine a light on the importance of organ donation.

Jo-Anne Lesser retired and was looking forward to traveling with her husband but her plans were derailed by extreme abdominal pain. After months of unsuccessful treatment, an ultrasound revealed the culprit: ovarian cancer.

Is weight gain during menopause inevitable? We asked Kathryn Macaulay, MD, for clarification and advice on how women should eat to stay healthy through menopause and beyond. And we share some healthy recipes!

Learn how to navigate online chats rooms to benefit your health, whether you’re looking for medical facts or emotional support, as well as how to protect your privacy while getting the information you need to get well.

It’s estimated that one in four patients over age 40 will experience afib. The irregular heart rhythm could lead to a stroke. Learn about a woman’s personal story with afib and new treatment options available.

A quick search for “drugs and sports” brings up a long list of articles about athletes using performance-enhancing drugs. But what about the opposite — drugs that make exercise more difficult, or even dangerous?

Cayleih Mackay Nunn, RD, fills us in on the nutritional value of nutritional yeast flakes — a staple in vegan diets for its vitamin B and protein content and its similarity in taste to cheese — and we offer some recipes.

We’re celebrating moms with a new brunch menu for mothers who deliver their babies at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health. Here are some brunch suggestions to help you celebrate moms and dads at home!

The cancer journey doesn’t end when treatment does. Some are left with physical, emotional and lifestyle changes. UC San Diego Health experts discuss the benefits of a survivorship program when transitioning to daily life.

Some bacterial infections are tough to treat with oral antibiotics. An infectious disease specialist talks about the rise in antibiotic resistance and different therapies, like IV therapies, that tackle stubborn infections.

This month our experts discuss when it’s appropriate to take vitamin D supplements, whether there are minimally invasive ways to treat fibroid tumors and whether coconut oil is as healthy as people think.

Jonathan Watanabe, PharmD, PhD, of the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, shares his advice on finding the most effective drugs at the best prices, before the pharmacist rings you up.

An Orange County resident is airlifted to UC San Diego Health in need of an emergency quadruple bypass surgery. Find out how technology and a multidisciplinary team saved his life when every second counted.

UC San Diego Health recently engaged in a social experiment to encourage employees to think about the meaning of life. The goal was to raise awareness of the need for advanced care planning for both employees and patients.

When Steve Larrabee fell 28 ft. from scaffolding, a friend below said he looked like Superman when he hit the dirt. Larrabee suffered a hand injury that has caused him pain ever since, but a spinal cord stimulator has helped.

Arriving not quite in time, Jessica Salzman delivered her baby right outside the Emergency Department doors. Months later, the Salzmans got a chance to reunite with their care team to share their gratitude.

Rodney Fry, executive chef for UC San Diego Health, has two delicious, heart-healthy dishes to help you celebrate Valentine’s Day — and both dishes are on the menu for patients at Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health.

A new grant will help researchers with the Center of Gender Equity and Health to continue efforts to raise awareness about violence against women worldwide. The award will support measurements of issues that will help change.

Pain relief usually starts in the drug store, where the options can be overwhelming. Joseph Ma, PharmD, shares a few questions to ask yourself when choosing a pain reliever or deciding when to see a doctor.

Danon Disease, a rare genetic disorder often misdiagnosed as heart failure, caused a teen to undergo a heart transplant. Find out how a UC San Diego researcher is using beating heart cells to find a less invasive treatment.

This Thanksgiving season, we are grateful for so much, including the 2016 Concrete Décor Show and all the volunteers who helped transform the patio courtyard and other common areas of the Bannister Family House in Hillcrest.

Discover recent upgrades to the Arbor Café at UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest and meet some of the key staff involved in transforming the menu to offer healthy, sustainable and tasty meals to patients and guests.

With the holidays fast approaching we asked three UC San Diego Health nutrition specialists for ideas on how to add a touch of lightness to holiday meals that will wow your guests without walloping their waistlines.

Stanley and Ana, together several years, got married in Thornton Hospital surrounded by loved ones. The groom’s cancer had metastasized — it was terminal. Learn how UC San Diego Health staff planned the couple’s wedding day.

After overindulging at the buffet table you might think you have indigestion. Mark W. Onaitis, MD, tells us how to know when indigestion may actually be a more serious medical condition and the treatment options available.

Thirteen years ago, Natalie made a wish that inspired her parents to found the Cystinosis Research Foundation. With their support, UC San Diego researchers are now developing a stem cell-based therapy for this rare disease.

Jennifer Greenberg was a major snorer with a serious medical problem: sleep apnea. In Greenberg’s case, her slumber was being disrupted 43 times an hour, leaving her inexplicably exhausted. Read the rest of her story.

Vegetables, like kale, are often touted as superfoods but not everyone can eat them without discomfort. We ask our nutrition expert about alternatives and offer three recipes that, while lacking in kale, are just as super.

Rikki Rockett, drummer in the band Poison, shares his story of oral cancer, chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Learn how this rock star went from almost losing his tongue to now being able to see his children grow up.

Surgery is usually prescribed after a breast cancer diagnosis. Patients may undergo side effects that impact mobility and quality of life. Resenia Collins, occupational therapist, talks about the benefits of rehabilitation.

Radiation therapy won’t result in web-slinging superpowers, but it can be a powerful tool for patients undergoing cancer treatment. Half of all patients receive radiation therapy. Find out what to expect during treatment.

86 million adults have prediabetes and 29 million have the disease. Type 2 diabetes is a major public health threat linked to the obesity epidemic. Julie Celebi, MD, discusses early diagnosis to remedy and prevention.

2016 has been declared the International Year of Pulses, probably better known as dried beans, lentils and chickpeas. Versatile, nutritious and economical, these recipes will keep your finger on the pulse of healthy eating.

In this month’s Corner Clinic, our experts talk about why contestants from a television weight loss show regain the pounds, if women need to worry about toxic shock syndrome and if too much exercise can impair fertility.

Public Health Research Day brings together researchers from across UC San Diego to take on issues ranging from obesity to drug abuse. Innovators from 20 departments such as engineering and pharmacy contribute solutions.

It's no secret that we love avocadoes: an estimated 1.9 billion avocados were consumed in the U.S. in 2014 alone. But there's more to this little green fruit than guacamole – and one of them may surprise you.

UC San Diego Health has one of the lowest C-section rates in San Diego County. Having one C-section doesn't mean you will need one with future pregnancies. Learn more about C-sections and vaginal births after ceasarean in a Q & A with Dr. Maryam Tarsa.

Getting a tattoo can seem like a good idea at the time, but maybe not later. In some cases, tattoos may have negative associations. Find out how removing ink is a link to improved health and social outcomes.

One of the fastest growing medical specialties are hospitalists – physicians who spend their days and careers entirely focused upon treating hospitalized patients. Their impact, though, extends far beyond.

Colorectal cancer is among the most deadly cancers in the United States. However, advances in early detection and treatment are enabling many sufferers to beat this foe. Samuel Eisenstein, MD, provides an update.

A man has up to a 50 percent chance of battling postpartum depression if his wife is going through it. The Reproductive Mental Health Program treats moms and dads facing this condition with therapy and medication management.

In an era where doctors are taking pain management more seriously, more patients are also getting opioids without understanding the risks. Pharmacist Rabia Atayee, PharmD, shares some dos and don’ts for proper opioid use.

Christopher Longhurst, MD, brings a unique perspective to his new role as Chief Information Officer at UC San Diego Health. Longhurst is one of only a handful of healthcare CIOs who are both doctors and IT specialists.

When Beth Garcia was struck by a sharp pain in her chest she thought it was just a muscle cramp - she was wrong. Read more about signs of heart attack in women and why it’s better to “make a fuss” than stay silent.

One way to start fresh in the New Year is to juice: replacing at least one meal with a blended vegetable and fruit concoction. It can be an effective, healthy way to lose pounds and feel fitter with right the recipes.

The biggest challenge in health care today is getting patients to take their medications on time, every time. Are you one of them? Here are some reasons to get back on track, and tips to keep yourself from forgetting.

Men and women experience hormonal changes during middle age that can affect their sexual health and relationships with partners. UC San Diego Health experts discuss what both genders can do to ensure a happy, satisfying life.

Nutrition Services has transformed their room service program and menu to offer locally sourced, high quality meals made to order for patients at Thornton Hospital and Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center at UC San Diego Health.

Approximately 90 percent of Americans will develop high blood pressure at some time in their lives, putting them at significantly elevated risk for heart disease and stroke – the country’s first and fourth leading causes of death.

When it comes to getting the biggest bang out of your nutritional buck, the rule of thumb is go with color. Flashy-hued vegetables and fruits are high in vitamin A, responsible for forming and maintaining healthy skin and teeth.

Susan Rooney was diagnosed with an incurable brain tumor days before her daughter’s high school graduation. She joined a clinical trial testing a new drug and today the tumor is stable and under control.

Cold season is looming, but before you rifle through the medicine cabinet looking for a box of last year’s meds, pause to consider your actual symptoms. A pharmacist offers advice for soothing cold misery.

A partnership with Temecula Valley Hospital, telemedicine and an innovative surgical approach saved a mother with a blood clot in a major brain vessel treated at UC San Diego Health’s comprehensive stroke center.

When diet and exercise are not enough to control blood sugar patients may need help. A clinical trial of different treatments for type 2 diabetes offers free office visits, medications and supplies for participants.

UC San Diego Health recently hired social workers to address the complex needs of high risk patients in the Emergency Department and establish a bridge to community services to decrease readmissions and length of stay.

Back-to-school means back to making school lunches for many parents. It’s a daily challenge to create a midday meal that’s both nutritious and tasty - here are some tips to help satisfy the lunch box set.

After a 27-year-old tragically died, his heart was donated to not one, but two people. Hear about the rare transplant - only performed 10 times worldwide - that united three families during an emotional meeting.

Migraines are now viewed as a progressive disease which may worsen over time. They’re also the fifth leading cause of emergency room visits in the U.S. We ask Hossein Ansari, MD, a headache specialist, for more details.

Wary of prescription medicines, some consumers prefer “natural” products, such as herbal supplements that they believe are safer and gentler. But are they? Our professor of pharmacy offers advice on how to choose wisely.

A clinical trial at UC San Diego Health is testing whether adjusting light exposure and sleep times may be an effective treatment for women with depression related to chronic disruption of their sleep and biological rhythms.

Consumers have been taking biologic drugs for decades. The FDA just approved the first biosimilar drug for market. The names are, well, similar, but the latter might eventually make a measurable difference in your pocketbook.

Many people have trouble organizing the daily accumulated clutter of life. But a paralyzing inability to throw away unnecessary possessions can belie a potentially debilitating mental condition known as hoarding disorder.

When Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health opens in 2016 it will feature a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit designed to encourage family involvement to support healing and getting baby home happy and healthy.

Should I worry about soccer-related head injuries? What does having dense breasts mean for my health? How can I avoid eye damage during the summer? Our experts answer your health questions in this month’s Corner Clinic.

Given its links to social ills like obesity and diabetes, it’s hard to champion sugar. It’s also hard to avoid since it seems to be an ingredient in almost every processed food. Here’s a smarter way to indulge.

The human face can reportedly create 5,000 different expressions. A smile is the most easily recognized and surprise is the next most recognized facial expression. Read this, then look in the mirror – smile or surprise?

Research shows you and your dog are inhabited by similar microbes. Now you can both participate in scientific studies to help UC San Diego researchers learn more about how living with a dog affects human health.

We need sodium to function but too much can be a bad thing. Americans consume too much salt due to a diet heavy in processed foods. To help with reducing your daily sodium intake, here are three less salty recipes to savor.

The foods we eat and the drugs and supplements we take can interact with each other. Anyone who takes multiple drugs should review their medication regimen with a pharmacist and doctor to avoid harmful drug interactions.

Skin can take a beating as it works to keep you whole and healthy. Not least of these dangers is sunlight and the risk of skin cancer, most notably melanoma. Pick up some safety tips for the sunny months ahead.

If your lack of sleep is keeping you awake, there’s good reason to be concerned. Maladies ranging from high blood pressure to diabetes have been linked to too few ZZZZs. UC San Diego’s Sleep Medicine Center is here to help.

I sit a lot at work – should I get a standing desk? I get leg cramps -- should I worry about pulmonary embolism? What can I do about dry eyes? Our experts answer your health questions in this month’s Corner Clinic.

The first step in battling cancer is getting the right diagnosis. Jacobs Medical Center, opening in 2016, will feature the latest advances in pathology services to help ensure the most accurate diagnosis.

UC San Diego Health System is honoring and celebrating its physicians on National Doctor’s Day and is announcing its 2015 Physician of the Year, Tyson Ikeda, MD, and House Officer of the Year, Kevin Shah, MD.

John and Mary Rieger, participants in the UC San Diego Weight Management program, are vibrant proof of the health benefits of significant weight loss. The program emphasizes maintenance as strongly as losing those extra pounds.

President Obama recently announced a multi-million-dollar initiative and talked about a future in which patients get “the right treatments at the right time, every time.” At UC San Diego Health System, the future has arrived.

Time may blur, but the first quarter-century of the newly renamed Shiley Eye Institute – it celebrates that anniversary this year – remains sharply defined in its accomplishments and its focus on the future.

Polycystic ovary syndrome may be an unfamiliar name, but the condition – a hormonal imbalance – affects more than 5 million American women, resulting in a range of minor to major symptoms and consequences.

For decades, we’ve been told to reduce fat consumption as its bad for the heart. Newly proposed federal dietary guidelines underscore that all fats aren’t created equal and are necessary to good health. They’re tasty, too!

What are some signs of head and neck cancers? Should I go on statins if I have borderline high cholesterol? What are the pros and cons of fetal testing? Our experts answer your health questions in this month’s Corner Clinic.

Prescription medications are designed to remedy a diagnosed illness or condition but a side effect of many can be unwanted weight gain, adding pounds and problems. Learn more about drugs that can sabotage your waistline.

Roger Knott, a former Navy ship driver and volunteer on the USS Midway Museum, received a heart transplant on New Year’s Eve. It was the 54th heart transplant performed at UC San Diego Health System since 2010.

Study finds that patients undergoing a first-time implantable cardoverter-defibrillator (ICD) procedure in the afternoon or evening or on weekends or holidays were more likely to experience adverse events.

As we age, medications affect us differently – prescription and over the counter. Some drugs become less effective while others become riskier. We talk to an expert to find out what to be aware of as we get older.

Calcium is critical for strong teeth and bones and a healthy brain. Dairy products are the most common source of calcium but you can find it in variety of foods for a diverse, delicious, calcium-rich diet.

Male sexual health is more complicated than those commercials on TV suggest. There are issues about cardiovascular disease, fertility, reversible treatments, supplements and something called “manopause.” Our expert explains.

What’s the proper way to use an asthma inhaler? Can you treat incontinence with physical therapy? Who should get a shingles vaccine? Our experts answer your health questions in this month’s Corner Clinic.

Tis’ the season of resolutions but let’s face it, most well-intentioned resolutions collapse exhausted, sweaty and famished just weeks into that new gym membership. Help is at your fingertips with these free fitness apps.

Of people over age 65 who fall and fracture a hip, 25 percent die within one year of their injuries. We asked Dr. Alexandra Schwartz to help us get to the bottom of this statistic and teach us how to prevent falls.

When UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center opens in 2016, blood and marrow transplant patients will have rooms with panoramic views and leading-edge treatments such as stem cell-directed clinical translational research.

UC San Diego Health System surgeons removed a large tumor from a man’s leg without using blood transfusions. More than half the patient’s blood was drained from the growth and recirculated into his body during the surgery.

Exceptional health care goes beyond the professional expertise of doctors and staff. It often includes the care of volunteers who run lab errands, provide music therapy or offer a sympathetic ear or a bit of advice.

Vitamin B plays a big role in our overall well-being and the good news is that it’s readily available in the foods we eat every day. Learn more about vitamin B and get some recipe ideas fit for the holidays or any day!

I’ve got benign prostatic hyperplasia. Should I be worried? Is there any such thing as a superfood? Is bed rest good for back pain? Our experts answer your health questions in this month’s Corner Clinic.

In an effort to better understand inflammatory bowel disease and develop new, more effective treatments, UC San Diego Health System opened an IBD biobank to collect patient samples and further scientific research.

Do you make the most of your time with your doctor? Whether you see your doctor once a year during your annual check-up or more often to manage a chronic conidtion, it's a question you might want to ask yourself.

UC San Diego Health System recently celebrated Food Day by serving antibiotic-free beef and poultry as part of a national effort to raise awareness of antibiotic-resistant infections linked to the food we eat.

The smallest baby born at UC San Diego Health System turns one and reaches big milestones. Born 11 ounces, Alexis Clarke spent eight months in the NICU. Now, she is 14 pounds, walking and showing off new teeth.

Should I take a daily aspirin to reduce my risk of heart attack? How do I help my elderly parents avoid falling? What is emotional eating? Our experts answer your health questions in this month’s Corner Clinic.

There's more to eating healthy than just eating healthy. Frankly, that can be pretty boring. Studies suggest that adding spices like chili peppers, turmeric and cinnamon may help good food be good for you in unexpected ways.

Age, weight, gender and ethnicity can influence who gets what type of prescription medication – and how much. There’s another factor, too: your DNA has a big say in whether a particular drug will work for you.

Pregnancy means thinking about due dates, names and high blood sugar levels. Gestational diabetes is usually temporary but without effective management it can have life-changing consequences for both mother and baby.

Talk about a double-whopper: We eat too much and we tend to eat too much of the stuff we should hardly be eating at all. A government diet advisory committee recently came out with a list of our mostly forbidden favorites.

What does it mean when a hospital is “most wired?” It means critical patient information, including electronic medical records, can be transported, read and acted upon faster, more safely and with better health outcomes.

Ever have that feeling you're not alone? You're not. Trillions of microbes reside within your intestinal tract, for good and ill. UC San Diego scientists and physicians are discovering new ways to emphasize the former and prevent the latter.

While an increasing number of women are delaying motherhood until their late-30s and 40s, human biology keeps a timetable. Fertility specialists at UC San Diego Health System employ the latest technologies and procedures to help women conceive.

After a mother of two was in horrific pain, lost her sense of taste and her hair started falling out, she was referred to UC San Diego Health System and diagnosed with a rare disease called Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome (CCS).

Each year, millions of Americans visit their doctors with sports- or activity-related joint injuries, most commonly to the knee or shoulder. We ask Dr. Christopher Wahl to diagnose the current situation.

UC San Diego Cardiovascular Center recently implanted a new cardiac monitoring device in a patient that's the size of a paperclip and allows physicians to wirelessly monitor a patient's heart for abnormal cardiac rhythms for up to three years.

Whole grains are the latest buzz in healthy eating. Here's a look at some popular grains, including some that are just coming to their own, with three recipes to help you incorporate them into your everyday diet.

Mesa High School team physician, David Bazzo, MD, with the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, has implemented an educational program to teach young athletes and their families about concussions.

There’s still time to sign up through the state’s health exchange for access to the doctors, staff and services of the UC San Diego Health System, rated the top health system in the San Diego metropolitan area.

To create a better patient experience for people with chronic disease, UC San Diego Health System has implemented shared medical appointments, a pilot program to increase access to physicians and aid patient education.

Francis Gonzales, MD, with the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, traveled to Guatemala with a team of medical staff from across the nation to perform joint replacements on patients in need of critical care.

A teenager with dangerously high cholesterol levels receives life-saving treatment to prevent cardiovascular disease through our outpatient therapeutic apheresis program – the only program of its kind in San Diego County.

A mother shares her inspiring story after giving birth to a baby at 25 weeks gestation weighing 11 ounces. She is the smallest born at UC San Diego Health System receiving around-the-clock care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

In 2004, broadcast journalist Bill Griffith's doctor discounted a lump on his chest as a benign cyst. A year later, after "firing" his doctor, he underwent a modified radical mastectomy at Moores Cancer Center.

UC San Diego physicians Wallace and Blair answer questions about several issues surrounding breast cancer, including prevention and treatment, and inflammatory breast cancer, a particularly difficult form of the disease.

We asked some of our newest physicians in the UC San Diego Health System for a tip or two on getting or staying healthy. No secrets here perhaps, but all good reminders. Who knew eating yogurt could be so good for so many?

Diabetes is a public health issue, not just because millions of Americans have been diagnosed with the metabolic disease, but also for the many more millions who either remain undiagnosed or have signs suggesting they will likely become diabetic.

During international Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder awareness month, a UC San Diego School of Medicine professor talks about the discovery of the disorder 40 years ago and why prenatal drinking continues to be so dangerous to the developing fetus.

Rae Arnold is able to continue her love of traveling and spending time with her grandchildren thanks to several stent implantation procedures performed by the team of experts at UC San Diego Health System’s Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center.

A young boy returns to UC San Diego Health System’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to reunite with the medical staff who saved his life seven years earlier when he was born weighing a little more than a pound at just 25 weeks gestation.

Sonya Ahmed, MD, joins UC San Diego Health System as the new chief of the Foot and Ankle Division in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, bringing advanced treatment options and team collaborations that will improve patient care.

From midwifery services and Birth Center to pregnancies with multiples and Caesarean sections, three generations of a local family have received nearly 32 years of health care and experienced seven births at UC San Diego Health System.

Plastic surgeon Amanda Gosman coordinated a team of volunteers to travel more than 8,000 to miles Malawi, Africa, to provide much needed surgical and follow up care for patients with cleft lips and palates.

Arno J. Mundt, MD, professor and chair of the UC San Diego School of Medicine’s Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences, was inaugurated as the president of ACRO at the organization’s 2013 annual meeting held in February.

UC San Diego Health System’s Department of Orthopedic Surgery is proud to announce that Christopher Wahl, MD, has accepted the position as Chief of Sports Medicine and is now accepting patients at the Perlman Clinic in La Jolla.

“Angels from heaven” is how patients described Dr. Anna Kulidjian and her team after they successfully performed 24 hip replacement surgeries during a trip to the mountainous region of Armenia, a place in desperate need of surgical care.

Brothers Paul and Bill Coari have been sharing wilderness adventures every summer since Bill donated his kidney to his brother more than 10 years ago. But this summer’s journey was a bit more memorable-they hiked to Kidney Lake.

While many athletes will be competing for the gold in London this year, Louise Lerminiaux will be going for the gold later this month in Michigan in the Transplant Games of America
Louise will be competing in the 5K, sprints and a relay.

In connection to the fatal shooting in Aurora, Colorado, University of California, San Diego Health System security and emergency preparedness experts offer safety tips on how to increase your chance of survival in an active shooter event.

Raul Coimbra, MD, PhD, FACS, chief, division of trauma/surgical critical care/burns at UC San Diego Health System, and newly appointed president of the World Trauma Congress, is a longtime champion of changing how we define and treat trauma.

Ted Chan, MD, medical director of the emergency department at UC San Diego Health System, was one of 82 representatives recognized by the White House and Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C.

Whether you are recovering from a hospital visit or feeling ill at home, everyday foods found in grocery stores can aid our recovery. The body’s natural response to illness is inflammation, common foods can help calm inflammation.

Menopause is a natural process that simply means the end of menstruation. Now, women have a place for multidisciplinary care and treatment options through UC San Diego Health System’s Menopause Health Program.

Cancer survivor Michael Cohen rode his bicycle across the country this spring to inspire others dealing with the disease to keep going one pedal at a time. He started the 3,000-mile haul April 1 in San Diego.

May is recognized as Perinatal Depression Awareness Month, and national studies estimate one in five women suffer from postpartum depression. Many women enter pregnancy with an expectation of what the birthing experience might be like.